While I have the engine out I'm going to go with a mini starter. I know a 96 Ram, Dakota starter will work, I have also read that an 05-08 Ram manual trans Hemi starter will, they are smaller. Will these work? Thoughts.

i have been thinking about that manual starter being smaller as well.
however, i'm like you.
it would be nice if someone could show [side by side if possible] the size difference between the two, then we would know for certain.
it could also point out design differences [?] that may interfere [?] with other items such as header clearance to the starter cables.

I have a factory Dakota starter on my Savoy. Not sure what year it is but I put new contacts in it 16 years ago before I installed. It is one of the few starters that will fit with a 143 tooth flywheel and a steel bell. It may even be from a V6 because it's pretty small but it starts my 493 even on 90 degree days.
I can't stress enough that you buy a real Denso unit made in Detroit or Japan. Stay away from the many Chinese copies at the parts stores because they are hit or miss for quality. Mancini Racing sells the real thing but be prepared to spend twice as much money. You can also get a Denso re-man that is like a brand new one.

Gus

I'm using the 05 starter, but it's a 5.7 with 518
Thing I don't like is the power stud, comes 90 deg, compared to straight up for the old mini

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthread...adapter-lug-for-starter.html#Post3070253

Here are photos from Rockauto - I can't see any obvious size difference. Top is '05 Ram manual trans. Bottom is '95 Dakota

It's definitely smaller, will take some pics, when I can find the old mini

Based on the photos I don’t see anything smaller. If you compare the snout sizes in each photo they’re virtually identical meaning the scale of each photo is pretty damn close and so are the complete motors. Exactly “what” part is smaller?

Let’s see your photos.

This is a 05 starter, your top pic is wrong

I'm thinking that would work, even if you have drill threads out of the mount holes.

Thanks, I picked the wrong engine option when I looked on Rockauto. So is that solenoid a replaceable item - sold separately?

Looking at the R A website it looks like it is.

so the common mini starter is [looks like] a gear reduction style, while the smaller one is direct drive ?

05 is narrow, but taller

Betting the smaller straight one has an internal gear reduction, like a planetary in an automatic transmission.

I'm guessing no performance advantage, just fitment. Both probably have the same torque rating.

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ccrp-1207-lightweight-pmgr-starters-junkyard-builder/

The first Chrysler gear reduction starters used offset gears that added width. The advantage to late-model PMGR starters is the planetary gear-reduction system that multiplies torque while being entirely in line with the armature shaft. Planetary gear multiplication (similar to gear reduction in automatic transmissions) produces a major torque increase within a very small envelope.

That's what I'm looking for, it's smaller. I would like to see one mounted b/4 I buy one. It looks like it might work.

Do a search, within the last 2 months this came up, the guy thought it wouldn't work with BB.
I'll say same thing here, as I did in that other post.

Buy it on Amazon, free delivery, if it doesn't fit, free returns, $85

I am not a big internet auto parts shopper, that being said I have never bought any auto parts from Amazon or Rock Auto, how is the quality of the parts they sell?
I have bought some cheaper Chineze hard part years ago and recently some SB Mopar aluminum Speed Master heads from Pro Form, but I haven't taken them out of their boxes yet to look at them
What say you guys on this
Thanks in advance

So I see you are using one. My problem is the starter has to be mounted b/4 the engine goes in. Abody w/TTi chassis headers. So it's not that easy. I remember reading that thread, that's where I got the idea.